Notch at the Interface of Health and Disease

The 2014 Gordon Research Conference on "Notch Signaling in Development, Regeneration & Disease" will provide a stimulating forum for the dissemination and discussion of new research, concepts and therapeutic opportunities at the forefront of Notch related biology. The Notch signaling pathway is a central mediator of short-range inter-cellular communication in metazoans, under study since 1914 in Drosophila, and in all other model organisms since the 1980s. Alterations in Notch activity underlie or contribute to a growing list of developmental syndroms (Alagille, Spondylocostal Dysostosis, aortic valve disease), adult onset diseases (CADASIL, Alzheimer's disease, various heart and valve malformations, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis) and cancers, expanding the interest in this pathway well beyond scientists interested in developmental and cell biology to those interested in stem cells, cancer biology and therapy. The meeting will include sessions on mechanistic aspects of Notch regulation, stem cells and development, immunology, cancer and therapeutics, and structure of Notch components. The meeting will bring together a diverse community of scientists from academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry who are at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Some poster presenters will be selected for short talks. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an optimum environment for productive interactions. Importantly, a Gordon Research Seminar will precede the meeting, providing students and postdocs with a forum to discuss current research results and interact with other scientists with similar experience levels and interests in a non-intimidating environment.